Chemical solution spray system for self-propelled sprinkling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A system for applying agricultural chemicals in small amounts over a large area. A low-capacity spray system carried on and operated by a high-capacity self-propelled sprinkling irrigation system. A group of oscillating spray arms carried on and spaced along an irrigation pipeline, the arms being oscillated and the spray being turned on by the irrigation pipeline motor control to provide spraying as the pipeline is moved.

[ Mar. 14, 1972 United States Patent Brown et al.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [54] CHEMICAL SOLUTION SPRAYSYSTEM FOR SELF-PROPELLED SPRINKLING APPARATUS [72] Inventors:

3,394,729 7/1968 Bower et al. .......................239/212 X 3,410,49011/1968 Smith.....................................239/212 .239/212 XPerry 11. Brown, Pasadena; Paul C. Kernodle, Jr., Diamond Bar, both ofCalif.

3,464,626 9/1969 Stampsetal......................

[73] Assignee: Irrigation and Power Equipment lne.,

Greely, Colo.

Oct. 8, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 79,166

Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Assistant Examiner-Reinhold W. ThiemeAttorney-Harris, Kiech, Russell & Kern [22] Filed:

ABSTRACT A system for applying agricultural chemicals in small illatedand the spray being turned on by the irrigation pipeline motor controlto provide spraying as the pipeline is moved.

amounts over a large area. A low-capacity spray system carried on andoperated by a high-capacity self-propelled sprinkling irrigation system.A group of oscillating spray arms carried on and spaced along anirrigation pipeline, the arms being osc e IUWI 9b 7 3 5 7 2 Ml 7 Q M 1 m1 l l I 9 n y NW3 "6 2 5 a 6 w 9 5 $3 m H 3 m m2 m mh m L m... n d 5 LdU mm 1 ll 2 00 5 55 .l [.l.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PUMP PAIENWMR I 4 I972 SHEET 1 BF 2MIME/V7025 PERRY H. BRow/v, PAUL C. KERNODLE, JR.

5) THE/E ATTORNEYS HARE/$7 K/scH, RUSSELL & K52

PAIENEEEEJM m I972 3. 648 930 sum 2 BF 2 INVENTORS PERRY l'flBRQl/VN,PAUL C. KERK/ODL/E JR.

5y THE/R ATTORA/EKS HARE/5, Mac, RUSSELL- & KERN CHEMICAL SOLUTION SPRAYSYSTEM FOR SELF- PROPELLED SPRINKLING APPARATUS This invention relatesto self-propelled sprinkling apparatus for agricultural uses and thelike, and in particular to a new and improved system for sprayingchemical solutions such as insectides, herbicides, fertilizer and thelike at controlled uniform rates over wide areas.

Chemicals in liquid and solid form are widely used in agriculture for avariety of purposes and a number of different systems have beendeveloped for the application of the various chemicals. One such systemis dusting or spraying from low flying aircraft. Another is'by means ofa mist spray arrangement such as is shown in the Patent to Smith US.Pat. No. 3,410,490 wherein a large number of sprayers are spaced a shortdistance apart along a pipeline, typically at 15-inch intervals, tospray a low volume of chemical. Another system provides for mixing thechemical with the irrigation water for application with the irrigationwater. A number of problems are encountered in this mode of treatmentand one such solution is shown in the Stamps et al. US. Pat. No.3,464,626.

Many of the agricultural chemicals are highly corrosive and cause damageto the irrigation system when mixed with the irrigation water. Also, theagricultural chemicals are utilized in relatively small amounts,typically 10 to 100 gallons per acre, in contrast to the highconsumption of irrigation water, typically 30,000 gallons per acre for acomparable period of time. Obtaining the desired uniformity ofdistribution when such small amounts of chemical are mixed with suchlarge amounts of water becomes very difficult if not impossible.Further, it is often desired that the chemical be deposited on the plantrather than on the ground and also that it be applied in a concentratedrather than diluted condition. All of these conditions mitigate againstmixing the chemical with irrigation water.

Self-propelled sprinkling irrigation equipment which is automaticallycontrolled to provide uniform distribution of water over wide areas arein general use and one such apparatus is shown in the U.S. Pat. to Boweret al., No. 3,394,729, and other forms are illustrated in the referencescited in the Bower et al. patent. It is desirable to utilize theautomatic self-propelled sprinkling system for use with the chemicalspraying operation thereby obtaining both irrigation and chemical spraywith one apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to providea low capacity spraying system for agricultural chemicals and the likefor use with a high capacity self-propelled irrigation system, with thechemical spraying system carried by and controlled by the irrigationsystem. A further object is to provide such a system wherein thechemical spray is completely independent of the irrigation spraypermitting application of water and chemical independently and atvarious rates as desired and simultaneously when desired.

Other objects, advantages, features and results will more fully appearin the course of the following description. The drawings merely show andthe description merely describes preferred embodiments of the presentinvention which are given by way of illustration or example.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a self-propelled sprinklingapparatus incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2- 2 of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing an alternativearrangement for coupling a nozzle arm to the cable; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of a carriage of the apparatus ofFIG. I illustrating the drive motor.

FIG. 6 illustrates the motor starting circuitry.

A portion of a typical self-propelled sprinkling irrigation apparatus ofthe type shown in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,394,729, isillustrated in FIG. 1. While the present invention is described andillustrated in conjunction with this particular sprinkling apparatus, itshould be noted that the invention is not limited to thisspeciflcapplication and is readily adapted for use with a variety of sprinklingequipments. A pipeline 10 is supported on a plurality of motor drivencarriages 11 which move the pipeline about the area to be irrigated.Typically, the pipeline may be formed of 12 or 14 lengths of pipe 12joined at flexible couplings 13 to provide a pipeline in the order ofquarter of a mile in length. The pipeline may be moved in a straightline or in a circular path and in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1,a circular path apparatus is provided with the inner end of the pipelinesupported at a fixed pivot 14 mounted in a base 15 which may be set inthe ground.

Sprinkling heads 18 are spaced along the pipeline, typically three orfour heads between carriages and a pump 19 is connected to the pipelinevia another line 20 and the center pivot to provide a supply ofirrigation water to the sprinkling heads.

A typical sprinkling system will utilize 4-inch or 6-inch diameter pipewhich when filled with water is relatively heavy and some form of trussor cable system is utilized to support the pipeline. A typical truss isillustrated in FIG. 1 with spreader bars 22 and cables 23.

The carriage 11 includes a frame 25 with wheels 26, 27 mountedthereon..An electric drive motor 28 is carried on the frame 25 anddrives the wheels 26, 27 through a gear reduction unit 29 and endlessbelt chains 30, 31. A plate 33 is supported from the frame 25 on fourangle bars 34. In the embodiment illustrated, the inner end 35 of onelength of pipe is fixed to the plate 33 on a mounting block 36. Theouter end 37 of the adjacent length of pipe is pivotally mounted on theplate 33.

Power for the electric motor 28 is provided from a control box 40 via anelectrical cable 41 and a carriage motor control box 42. Each carriagecontrol box includes a motor starter 44 and a cam operated switch 45(FIG. 6). The switch 45 is operated by a cam carried on a rotating shaft47, with the shaft being driven by a cable 48 connected to opposing endsof an arm 49 carried on the end 37 of the inboard length of pipe. Thesystem is designed so that when the carriage is behind the desiredposition, the switch 45 is closed to energize the coil 50 of the starter44 and close the contacts of the starter to apply power to the motor.The motor runs and drives the carriage wheels to move the carriageforward until the switch 45 is opened thereby deenergizing the motor.The drive motor of the outermost carriage of the pipeline is energizedcontinuously so that the end of the pipeline moves at a desired constantrate. The remaining carriages are maintained in the desired alignment bythe control system which energizes a particular motor when'theparticular carriage is lagging behind the desired alignment. Theconstruction and operation of this system is described in detail in theaforesaid US. Pat. No. 3,394,729.

A plurality of chemical spray stations is positioned along the pipeline,typically with three stations between carriages, and a typical spraystation -is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. A plate is mounted on the pipe12 by brackets 61, 62, typically by welding. A solenoid controlled valve63 is mounted on the plate 60. An arm 64 is carried on a shaft 65 whichis pivotally mounted on the plate 60.

A small chemical-pipeline 68 is carried on the irrigation pipeline l0and may be supported in various ways, as by clamping to the brackets 62.A T-fitting 69 is provided in the line 68 at each of the spray stations,with a conduit 70 between the T-fitting 69 and the solenoid valve 63 andwith a flexible conduit 71 between the solenoid valve and anotherT-fitting 72 in the arm 64. A spray nozzle 73 is carried on the outerend of the arm 64.

Means are provided for introducing a fluid under pressure into the line68 and typically may comprise a storage tank 75, motor driven pump .76with pressure regulator, and conduit 77 connecting the pump'outlet tothe line 68. Power for the pump motor is provided from the control box40. The solenoid of the valve 63 is connected to the cable 41 viaanother cable at a junction box 96. The control circuitry provides forenergizing the solenoid valves of the spray stations of a length of pipeat the time the drive motor for the carriage at the outboard end of suchlength of pipe is energized. By way of example, the spray stations onthe length of pipe between the center pivot and the first carriage willhave the solenoid valves thereof energized as a group when the drivemotor of the first carriage is energized. Referring to FIG. 6, solenoids80 are energized when the switch 45 closes, energizing starter coil 50and closing the contacts of the starter 44.

Means are provided for oscillating the arms 64 of a group of spraystations when the solenoid valves are energized and the drive motor ofthe next outboard carriage is energized In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, a cable 81 is connected via a spring 82 to the pipe 12.The cable 81 may be wrapped around the shaft 65 of each of the spraystations, passed through a pulley 83 supported from the plate 33 of thecarriage l1, and have its other end fastened to a member 84 mounted onthe output shaft 85 of the drive motor gear box 29. The spring 82functions to maintain tension in the cable 81 and the drive motor 28provides a cyclical pulling on the cable 81 via the crank member 84.Hence the motor operation provides for oscillation of an arm 64 when themotor is energized.

One alternative arrangement for driving the spray arm 64 is shown inFIG. 4, where parts corresponding to those of the embodiment of FIGS. 2and 3 are identified by the same reference numerals. The spring 82 isanchored on a bracket 90 carried on the pipe 12. An extension 91 of thearm 64 carries a clamp 92 for clamping the cable 81 to the arm so that areciprocating motion of the cable produces an oscillating motion of thearm. Other arrangements for coupling the drive motor to the spray armscan be utilized and an independent drive motor could be provided ifdesired. While an electrical drive system has been illustrated, it willbe realized that the chemical spray system can also be used withhydraulically powered equipment.

In operating the system for irrigation, the outermost carriage drivemotor is energized and its speed is set to provide the desired rate oftravel, typically 1 revolution per 24 hours. The pump 19 is energizedand irrigation water is provided to the pipeline under pressure with thewater being distributed by the sprinkling heads. The intermediatecarriage drive motors are energized intermittently as determined by theassociated control circuit with the switch 45. Each intermediatecarriage moves forward intermittently to maintain the desired alignmentof the pipeline as the outermost carriage moves forward continuously.

The system may be operated in the same manner for chemical solutionspraying by energizing the pump 76. If it is desired to apply thechemical solution at the same time as irrigation water is applied, thepump 19 is also energized. If it is desired to apply the chemicalsolution without irrigation water, the pump 19 is not energized when thepump 76 is energized. The solenoid valves for the spray stations of theoutermost length of pipe will be energized and open all the time theoutermost carriage is running and the arms of the spray stations willoscillate continuously. The solenoid valves and arms for intermediatelengths of pipe will be opened and oscillated, respectively, when thenext outermost carriage drive motor is energized.

The chemical spray system provides for controlled uniform application ofvery small quantities of material over large areas. The chemicalsolutions such as insectides and herbicides are used in relatively lowvolumes, typically in the order of 10 to I gallons per acre perapplication. This is in contrast to irrigation water which may beapplied at a rate of 30,000 gallons per acre. The chemical sprayingsystem must provide for very low material handling while at the sametime obtaining uniform coverage over wide areas. This desired result isachieved in the system of the present invention by utilizing a lowcapacity system with a small number of spray nozzles so that each nozzlewill be delivering sufficient material for proper operation of thenozzle without requiring exceedingly fine holes and avoiding theassociated clogging problems. The wide area coverage is achieved byoscillating the nozzles, typically in a generally semicircular arc andalso by actuating the spray system only when the associated pipelineportion is moving.

The chemical spraying system of the present invention permits the use ofconventional high capacity self-propelled irrigation apparatus forsupport and control. At the same time it provides for independentapplication of small quantities of material, which can be appliedsimultaneously with irrigation water or separate from irrigation water.The chemical spraying system may be made of stainless steel or othercorrosion resisting material and yet be relatively inexpensive becauseof the small size as compared to the high capacity irrigation system.

Adjustments in the operation of the system are readily achieved. Whilethe number of spraying stations is fixed once the system is built, thenozzles 73 may be changed to provide different spraying rates andpatterns. Since there are only a few nozzles involved, this change isreadily made. The rate of application of the chemical may also becontrolled by varying the output pressure of the pump 76. Theoscillation of the arms may be varied by changing the length of thecrank arm at the drive motor, as by moving the coupling between thecable 81 and the member 84 from one opening to another along the member84. The rate of travel of each carriage is a function of its radialdistance from the pivot and the nozzle size for each individual armnormally would be different so as to provide a uniform application ofsolution from the center pivot to the outermost spraying station.

The system provides for automatic application of the chemical withoutrequiring the presence of people and thereby eliminates labor costs andalso exposure to materials. The use of the chemical spraying system inconjunction with the irrigation system provides for changing from onetype of application to another at any time, without requiring moving ofequipment and permits chemical treatment when conditions are mostsuitable such as at night or low wind conditions.

We claim:

1. ln a self-propelled sprinkling irrigation system having a highcapacity irrigation pipeline supported on a plurality of spaced motordriven carriages and control means for energizing the drive motors, alow capacity spraying system for insectides, herbicides, fertilizer andthe like, comprising in combination:

a low capacity pipeline supported at said high capacity pipeline;

means for supplying a fluid under pressure to said low capacity line;

a plurality of arms spaced along and pivotally supported at said highcapacity line, with a spraying nonle on each of said arms and with agroup of arms associated with a carriage and drive motor;

a control valve for each of said arms;

conduit means connecting each of said valves between said low capacityline and the corresponding nozzle; and

means for oscillating a group of said arms and actuating the controlvalves thereof as the associated drive motor is energized to spray fluidas the associated carriage moves.

2. A system as defined in claim 1 including bracket means carried onsaid high capacity pipeline for mounting each of said arms for pivotingin a generally horizontal plane, with the corresponding control valvemounted on the bracket means.

3. A system as defined in claim 1 in which said means for oscillatingincludes:

a cable coupled to each of the arms of a group;

means for applying a tension load at one end of said cable;

and

means for cyclically pulling at the other end of said cable.

4. A system as defined in claim 3 in which each of said arms is carriedon a pivoting shaft and in which said cable is coupled to each arm atsaid shaft.

5. A system as defined in claim 3 in which said cable is cou pled toeach arm at a point spaced from the pivot point of the arm.

6. A system as defined in claim 3 in which said means for cyclicallypulling comprises the carriage drive motor.

7. A system as defined in claim 6 including a member driven in rotationby said carriage drive motor and means for coupling said cable to saidmember.

8. In a self-propelled sprinkling irrigation system having a highcapacity irrigation pipeline supported on a plurality of spaced motordriven carriages with an electrical switch at a carriage for energizingthe carriage drive motor as a function of carriage position, a lowcapacity spraying system for insectides, herbicides, fertilizer and thelike, comprising in combination:

a low capacity pipeline supported at said high capacity pipeline;

means for supplying a capacity line;

a plurality of arms spaced along and pivotally supported at said highcapacity line, with a spraying nozzle on each of said arms and with agroup of arms associated with a carriage and drive motor;

a solenoid actuated control valve for each of said arms;

conduit means connecting each of said valves between said low capacityline and the corresponding nozzle; and

means for oscillating a group of said arms and actuating the valvesolenoids thereof to spray fluid when the associated drive motor isenergized by the switch to move the carriage.

9. A system as defined in claim 8 in which said means for oscillatingincludes:

a cable coupled to each of the arms of a group;

means for applying a tension load at one end of said cable;

fluid under pressure to said low and means for coupling the other end ofsaid cable to the carriage drive motor for cyclically pulling said cableas said motor rotates.

10. In a self-propelled sprinkling irrigation system having a highcapacity irrigation pipeline supported on a plurality of spaced motordriven carriages and control means for energizing the drive motors, alow capacity spraying system for insectides, herbicides, fertilizer andthe like, comprising in combination:

a low capacity pipeline supported at said high capacity pipeline;

means for supplying a capacity line;

a plurality of spray stations carried on said high capacity line atspaced intervals, each of said stations including a pivotally mountedarm with a nozzle, a control valve and a conduit means connecting eachof said valves between said low capacity line and the correspondingnozzle; and

means for oscillating a group of said arms and actuating the controlvalves thereof as a drive motor is energized to spray fluid as acarriage moves.

11. A system as defined in claim 10 in which a group of arms on aportion of the high capacity line are oscillated by the drive motor ofthe carriage which moves said portion of the high capacity line.

12. A system as defined in claim 11 in which said means for oscillatingincludes:

a cable coupled to each of the arms of a group;

means for applying a tension load at one end of said cable;

and

means for coupling the carriage drive motor to the other end of saidcable for cyclically pulling said cable.

fluid under pressure to said low

1. In a self-propelled sprinkling irrigation system having a high capacity irrigation pipeline supported on a plurality of spaced motor driven carriages and control means for energizing the drive motors, a low capacity spraying system for insectides, herbicides, fertilizer and the like, comprising in combination: a low capacity pipeline supported at said high capacity pipeline; means for supplying a fluid under pressure to said low capacity line; a plurality of arms spaced along and pivotally supported at said high capacity line, with a spraying nozzle on each of said arms and with a group of arms associated with a carriage and drive motor; a control valve for each of said arms; conduit means connecting each of said valves between said low capacity line and the corresponding nozzle; and means for oscillating a group of said arms and actuating the control valves thereof as the associated drive motor is energized to spray fluid as the associated carriage moves.
 2. A system as defined in claim 1 including bracket means carried on said high capacity pipeline for mounting each of said arms for pivoting in a generally horizontal plane, with the corresponding control valve mounted on the bracket means.
 3. A system as defined in claim 1 in which said means for oscillating includes: a cable coupled to each of the arms of a group; means for applying a tension load at one end of said cable; and means for cyclically pulling at the other end of said cable.
 4. A system as defined in claim 3 in which each of said arms is carried on a pivoting shaft and in which said cable is coupled to each arm at said shaft.
 5. A system as defined in claim 3 in which said cable is coupled to each arm at a point spaced from the pivot point of the arm.
 6. A system as defined in claim 3 in which said means for cyclically pulling comprises the carriage drive motor.
 7. A system as defined in claim 6 including a member driven in rotation by said carriage drive motor and means for coupling said cable to said member.
 8. In a self-propelled sprinkling irrigation system having a high capacity irrigation pipeline supported on a plurality of spaced motor driven carriages with an electrical switch at a carriage for energizing the carriage drive motor as a function of carriage position, a low capacity spraying system for insectides, herbicides, fertilizer and the like, comprising in combination: a low capacity pipeline supported at said high capacity pipeline; means for supplying a fluid under pressure to said low capacity line; a plurality of arms spaced along and pivotally supported at said high capacity line, with a spraying nozzle on each of said arms and with a group of arms associated with a carriage and drive motor; a solenoid actuated control valve for each of said arms; conduit means connecting each of said valves between said low capacity line and the corresponding nozzle; and means for oscillating a group of said arms and actuating the valve solenoids thereof to spray fluid when the associated drive motor is energized by the switch to move the carriage.
 9. A system as defined in claim 8 in which said means for oscillating includes: a cable coupled to each of the arms of a group; means for applying a tension load at one end of said cable; and means for coupling the other end of said cable to the carriage drive motor for cyclically pulling said cable as said motor rotates.
 10. In a self-propelled sprinkling irrigation system having a high capacity irrigation pipeline supported on a plurality of spaced motor driven carriages and control means for energizing the drive motors, a low capacity spraying system for insectides, herbicides, fertilizer and the like, comprising in combination: a low capacity pipeline supported at said high capaciTy pipeline; means for supplying a fluid under pressure to said low capacity line; a plurality of spray stations carried on said high capacity line at spaced intervals, each of said stations including a pivotally mounted arm with a nozzle, a control valve and a conduit means connecting each of said valves between said low capacity line and the corresponding nozzle; and means for oscillating a group of said arms and actuating the control valves thereof as a drive motor is energized to spray fluid as a carriage moves.
 11. A system as defined in claim 10 in which a group of arms on a portion of the high capacity line are oscillated by the drive motor of the carriage which moves said portion of the high capacity line.
 12. A system as defined in claim 11 in which said means for oscillating includes: a cable coupled to each of the arms of a group; means for applying a tension load at one end of said cable; and means for coupling the carriage drive motor to the other end of said cable for cyclically pulling said cable. 